Manny retires after notification of drug issue

JustinVerlander35 · Apr 8, 2011

Manny Ramirez has retired.

Major League Baseball first announced Ramirez's retirement in a statement Friday afternoon, saying that Ramirez had "an issue" under MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and informed the league he would retire rather than "continue with the process under the program."

The news caught the Rays, and most of baseball, by surprise. Joe Maddon told reporters on Thursday that the 12-time All-Star had to miss Thursday's game in Chicago due to a "family matter," and according to the Rays manager, that's all the information he had. Ramirez was expected to return to the team for Friday night's game.Instead, the Rays received other news.

"I was really anticipating him being here today," Maddon said. "I thought about lineups with him hitting fourth here today. So this did catch me off guard."

The league statement, in full, read as follows: "Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Rather than continue with the process under the program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the drug program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter."

The New York Times, citing two sources, reported Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug during Spring Training.

If the issue involving Ramirez was a drug violation, he would be facing a suspension of 100 games.

Ramirez, with 555 career home runs, signed with the Rays this offseason and was off to a 1-for-17 start at the plate.

In 2009, Ramirez, 38, was suspended 50 games by MLB for violating the league's drug policy.

"We are obviously surprised and disappointed by the news," the Rays said in a follow-up statement. "We will have no further comment on this matter, and our fans and organization will carry on."

Andrew Friedman, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations, briefly addressed the media prior to Friday night's Rays-White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field.

Friedman noted there was "not a lot per the drug program" that the team was able to say.

"For the most part, our statement stands," Friedman said. "We were obviously surprised when we found out about it today. And hurt by what's transpired here, but as a group we have to collect ourselves and move forward."

Friedman said he had not talked to Ramirez and wasn't exactly sure about the series of events that transpired leading up to Friday afternoon's news. He did compliment Ramirez for having a positive influence on the team during Spring Training.

"It was very, very refreshing in terms of how he went about his business," Friedman said. "The way he prepared. I think it rubbed off on a lot of our young players. And we were very bullish on what he'd be able to do this year based on what he was doing in Spring Training. ... We were extremely optimistic that he would be a significant part of our offense."

While the Rays were surprised by Friday's news, they went into the season with their eyes wide open in regard to expecting the unexpected with Ramirez.

"I think it's well-documented what's happened in the past," Friedman said. "But for us, it was important for us to sit down with him before we signed him, and we understood that it was a risk. In terms of what exactly was the level of risk, difficult to say, but we were cautiously optimistic that he would be a force for us in our lineup."

The Rays selected the contract of Casey Kotchman from Triple-A Durham to fill Ramirez's roster spot. Off to a bad start, the Rays are minus their biggest offensive threat, Evan Longoria, for at least three weeks due to a strained left oblique. Now they will be without their cleanup hitter, permanently.

Maddon expressed how much he had looked forward to working with Ramirez this season and that he had enjoyed their relationship to date. However, he felt the team needed to move on.

"I still expect to win the American League East title this year," Maddon said. "I have not backed off on that at all. I know it's a difficult start. And I know a lot of people are going to read into this in a lot of different ways."

Maddon closed the clubhouse briefly to talk to the players. He told them the goals of the team had not changed and that it still takes 25 men to win together as a group. So it was time for the team to come together as a group.

Friedman even suggested that Friday's news could serve as a "galvanizing moment" for the team.

Reaction in the clubhouse mostly dealt with one player after the next talking about how they liked being his teammate.

Johnny Damon had the closest ties with Ramirez, dating back to their days as teammates with the Red Sox.
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Source- http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110408&content_id=17514236&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

JustinVerlander35 · Apr 8, 2011

What a dumbass, get's caught twice for steroids.

Mamba · Apr 8, 2011

Bye bye, Manny.

Sex Panther · Apr 9, 2011

coward

3RA1N1AC · Apr 9, 2011

he is filthy rich and doesnt care, retiring for life at 38? winning

JustinVerlander35 · Apr 10, 2011

3RA1N1AC said: ↑

he is filthy rich and doesnt care, retiring for life at 38? winning
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Agreed, and he has sucked and collected the past two seasons.

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Manny retires after notification of drug issue

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Manny retires after notification of drug issue

JustinVerlander35 Bringin' the Heat

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Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Sex Panther works every time.

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